Seal



Patcnted Dec. 13, 1949 sEAL Budolph J. Vedovell, Kcnilworth, 11|., assignor to Chicago Rawhide Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Illinois Application January 19, 1948, Serial No. 642,229

2 Clalms. I

This invention relates to improvements in an oil seal of the sleeve diaphragm type, it being a particular object of the invention to provide a seal having Safety provisions for relieving excessive pressure on one radia] side of the diaphragm and thereby preventing rupture or displacement thereof under certain circumstances.

A further object is to provide a seal of this type which is of simplifled and economical construction and improved operation.

Other more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the improved structure herein described.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal vertical section illustrating a seal in accordance with the present invention in operative position relatlve to a shaft and associated housing and other members; and

Fig. 2 is a view in side eievation of the seal, further illustrating the provlsions of the invention.

In the operation of certain diaphragm type oil seals in association with grease-lubricated bearings, bushings Or the like, it frequently occurs that when grease is applied by a grease gun under high pressure the diaphragm of the seal will blow out or rupture, being subiected internally to full force of the lubricant. The present invention provides a diaphragm type oil seal, exemplifled in an end thrust or face seal embodiment, having safety provisions entirely eliminating this source of trouble.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein an illustrative application of the seal is shown, the reference numeral Ill designates a fixed shaft or spindle secured at its ends in a housing |2. on which shaft the rotatable member |3 is journaled by a bearing member or bushing 13'. This member may be regarded as a rotary hub or any other conventional rotary element. The reference numeral |4 generally designates the seal of the invention which comprises a pair of axially spaced annular supporting ring members I5, |6. the former being provided with axially extending lugs |1 which are receivable in recesses Ill in the fixed housing |2 to prevent rotation of the seal relative to the housing. To the same end, members I5, IB are provided With alternating, axially projecting tongues or lugs |9. |9', or equivalent means of the type illustrated in my earlier Patent No. 2287207, of June 23, 1942, which are interleaved with one another in a manner to pre- 2 vent relative rotation of the members l5, |6, as will be understood.

A shaft engaging washer 2|) of fiexible non-metallic material such as leather, Synthetic rubber. or the like. is applied to the outer lateral surface of member |5, being appropriately apertured for engagement over the outwardly extending lugs l'l in the manner shown. This ring constrictively engages the shaft ID to prevent ingress of dirt or moisture to the shaft bushing or undue loss of lubricant at this point. The coacting members |5, |G are connected by means of an annular, axially extending or sleeve-like fiexible diaphragm 2| of suitable material such as treated fabric. rubber, leather or Synthetic rubber, this diaphragm being clamped at opposite axial sides thereof in opposed annular recesses 22 of the members IE, IB. Member IB, on the exposed lateral side thereof, is provided with a face sealing ring 23 of lcather, carbon or like material which is disposed in a laterally insert peripheral groove or recess 24 of the member IE, said ring 23 having sealing engagement with the adjacent lateral sealing surface 25 of the rotary member |3. A plurality of circumferentially spaced coil Springs 26 disposed internally between the members |5, IB serve to urge the same axially for effective sealing action and dlaphragm 2| is capable of ready fiexure in the axial direction to perrnit this movement.

It has been found in practice that the diaphragm 2| is apt to rupture or blow out when subjected to the relatively high pressure of grease or like lubricant appliedlto the shaft, when a grease gun or similar mechanical device is used for this purpose. This in turn may lead to serious results due to the incapacity of the seal, and to the end of eliminating this source of inconvenience and loss the diaphragm member 2| is provided with a plurality of small perforations or punctures 21. there being six or more of these relief or bleeder perforations in a practical embodiment. Said perforations serve the purpose of allowing radia] outward leakage of the excess grease under the above circumstance. The perforations need only be of size large enough to pass a small portion of the lubricant during the operation of the lubricating gun. Thereafter the diaphragm etfectively contains the remainder of the lubricant against loss. However, should there be a sudden axial compression of the seal, the relief perforations 21 will again void sufiicient of the Iubricant to prevent building up of a. sufflclently high pressure to damage the diaphragm.

As to the particular character or form of the perforations or punches 21, these may be of any desired outline. produeed either by removing stock in the iormation of an aperture, or by merely punching and removing none o! the stock. or by slittins in any desired outline. I thereiore desire that the term "peri'orations as employed in the appended ciaims be construed in the broadest sense consistent with accomplishing the pressure relievins function for which the periorations are provided.

What I ciaim is:

1. A sea] ot the type characterized by a pair of spaced, snnular seal members. and an snnular iiexibie diaphragm extending between said members in confining relation to a space therebetween, in which said diaphragm is provided at one or more points with i'ine perforations oi' such small size as to perxnit the diaphmzm to retain without appreciabie leakaze a predeterrnined fluid pressure in said space while relieving any excessive iiuid pressure built up in said space.

2. A seai ot the type chnracterized by a pair of spaoed, annuiar seal members, one having a sea]- ing element thereon, adapted i'or seaiing engagement with an opposed surface. and an annular 4 i'lexible diaphrgm of tubuiar sieeve-iike shape extending between and secured at its opposite ends to said members in radially eoniining relation to a space therebetween. in which said diaphragm is provided at one or more points with iine perforations oi' such small size as to Dermit the diaphragm to retain without appreciabie leakaee a predetermined i'iuid pressure in said space while reiieving any excessive i'iuid pressure built up in said space. said periorations being formed in said diaphras'm without removal ot the stock thereoi'.

BUDOLPH J. VEDOVELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following reterences are oi' record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED S'I'ATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1.865.764 Keenan July 5, 1932 2.243,255 McDonald May 27, 1941 2.287.207 Vedovell June 23, 1942 2301523 Vedoveli Nov. 10, 1942 

